<em>Is Anybody There?</em>: "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds"

Before I share this update from 40 Days for Life, a quick update on the number of babies saved over the 1st 11 days. So far there are 77 that they are aware of. & since they are still getting reports from last Fall's campaign, I suspect there are many more they don't know about yet. Last Fall on Day 13 they had 89 reports of babies saved. At the end of the Fall 2008 campaign they had over 440 reports of babies saved. It seems that the longer they pray the higher the number of lives saved grows.

DAY 11: Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow

If there’s one thing that has characterized the first ten days of this 40 Days for Life effort in many parts of the country, it’s been the lousy weather. It’s a testament to your faithfulness that despite the inconveniences, many of you have gone to the vigils to pray for an end to abortion.
In San Francisco, it was pouring. Ron noticed that only one person was signed up to pray one afternoon. He’d promised there would never be fewer than two, “so I drove down to be the second person. When I arrived, there were 16 volunteers praying in the rain. One man drove over 100 miles from Ft. Bragg to pray with us in the rain,” he said.
Ron noted that the group included some Hispanic volunteers and that the prayers were alternately said in English and in Spanish. “A most unique and rewarding experience,” he said. “We are so blessed!”
During a season when we remember Jesus’ time in the desert, many of you are in the snow.
Spring Valley, New York was one of the many 40 Days for Life locations that had to dig out of snow this week. “The snow storm would not stop those who believe that witnessing in spite of harsh weather conditions means an even greater sacrifice,” said Eileen.

40 Days for Life in Spring Valley, New York

“It was cold. It was freezing. Yet, the love of those who came radiated a warmth and a spirit that cannot be adequately expressed in words,” she said. “Thank you, God, for giving us the people to pray and persevere.”
In Sioux City, Iowa, one of the coordinators is named Stormy. Earlier this week, she stopped by the 40 Days for Life vigil at the abortion center just to check on things. It wasn’t stormy, but it was cold.
“I saw eight children standing on the line that Planned Parenthood painted, these children were facing Planned Parenthood and praying. They had driven an hour to be there and stand in 10-degree weather,”she reported.
What was even more amazing was that these were all foster children. “Given their fragile situations, they truly understood that feeling of loneliness and being in desperate situations,” Stormy said. “They were so happy to be praying for the babies and their mothers. They stood there with smiles on their faces just waiting for their turn to lead the prayer. It brought tears to my eyes.”
From across North America, we’re hearing similar stories. People are insisting it is not an inconvenience to go out in the cold, the snow and the rain to pray for those whose lives are at risk from abortion. It is a privilege.
Vicki in Austin, Texas put it well. “It is an honor,” she said, “to pray, fast and let others know we are not afraid.”
Speaking of Austin, I thought you’d enjoy hearing the audio recording of their young, dynamic local 40 Days for Life campaign leader Elizabeth being interviewed on one of the biggest talk radio shows in Texas. She was part of the first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign in Bryan/College Station, Texas in 2004. In this short clip, she talks about both campaigns — and about the ever-increasing number of young people promoting the pro-life message…